Autopsy Report Shows Cary Woman Strangled

CARY, N.C. - An autopsy report released by the medical examiners in Chapel Hill states that Nancy Cooper was strangled to death.

Police had already said the 34-year old mother of two had been murdered, but until now, they had never given a cause of death.

According to the autopsy report, Cooper had "a faint linear mark" measuring 1.3 inches long across her neck, and a fractured hyoid bone. The hyoid bone sits at the top of the throat and serves as an anchor for the tongue, according to an online article published by Encyclopedia Britannica.

The report said there's no evidence of any medical condition that could have led to Cooper's death, and toxicology reports came back negative for all narcotics except caffeine.

"It is in my opinion that she died as a result of external causes, homicidal violence, most likely asphyxia by strangulation," said Dr. John Butts at the end of the report.

According to the report, Cooper's body was badly decomposed and she was only wearing a sports bra; her body was discovered lying facedown next to a small pond two days after she was reported missing in July.

Examiners collected fingernail scrapings and passed them on to investigators, according to the autopsy.

Cary police did not get a copy of the autopsy immediately, but Chief Pat Bazemore released the following statement: "Outside of her family, no group is more committed to resolving Nancy's murder than the Cary Police Department, and as it's been since the day she disappeared, not one day goes by that we aren't working hard, making progress, and coordinating closely with the FBI, SBI and the Wake County District Attorney's office. We very much appreciate the work of Chief Medical Examiner Dr. John Butts and his excellent team for their invaluable contributions to law enforcement investigations throughout North Carolina. While I won't comment on the specifics of Nancy's autopsy, I hope everyone will be extremely sensitive to the family's incredible grief and Nancy's memory as they make choices on what and how they report on and talk about one of the most personal and, in this case, tragic parts of a person's life - their death."

Nancy's parents were in town for some legal maneuvering in their custody battle with her husband, Brad, for the Cooper's children.

"We will not have anything to say today," said Garry Rentz before the autopsy was made public. "We respect the court and we'll be back when next required."

After the report came out, Rentz released a statement through the Town of Cary: "The journey to truth and justice can be long and arduous. Today's news marks a point that is particularly poignant and painful but necessary to further the evidentiary process leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for Nancy's murder. Our family wants Chief Bazemore and the Cary Police Department, Dr. Butts and the Medical Examiners Office and Mr. Willoughby and the District Attorney's office to know that we sincerely appreciate their hard work for Nancy, the one among us who cannot comment today."

Police have not named a suspect in the case.